THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

15

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS BOTH THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR A PERCENTAGE OF THE COSTS OF KETAMINE THERAPY TO TREAT DEPRESSION.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the State has a duty to protect and improve the health and environment of the people; and

 

     WHEREAS, a number of state residents suffer from depression; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to an article published in Current Neuropharmacology, the use of ketamine is a valid antidepressant option for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression and has rapid antidepressant effects; and

 

     WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 279, introduced during the Regular Session of 2023 proposes to require insurance coverage for ketamine therapy; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that "[b]efore any legislative measure that mandates health insurance coverage for specific health services, specific diseases, or certain providers of health care services as part of individual or group health insurance policies, can be considered, there shall be concurrent resolutions passed requesting the auditor to prepare and submit to the legislature a report that assesses both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage"; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to assess, pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated health insurance coverage under Senate Bill No. 279, Regular Session of 2023, which requires insurance coverage for a percentage of the costs of ketamine therapy to treat depression; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and Insurance Commissioner.

Report Title: 

Health; Medicaid; Insurance; Ketamine Therapy; Auditor; Report